Schaub leader of Texans' band

By John McClain :
October 3, 2012
: Updated: October 3, 2012 10:34pm

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) celebrates with tackle Duane Brown (76) after throwing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Owen Daniels during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won the game 38-14.

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) drops back to pass against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo By Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) looks to hand off the ball in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Photo By David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) passes against the Denver Broncos in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo By David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, left, talks with quarterback Matt Schaub (8) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo By Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) throws over Denver Broncos defensive tackle Justin Bannan (97) for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Photo By David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil (92) sacks Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) in the endzone for a safety during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo By Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) throws for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Photo By David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) gets up off the ground after being sacked in the end zone for a safety by the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo By Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) laughs with a referee during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, in Houston.

Photo By Mike McCarn/Associated Press

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) prepares to hand off to Arian Foster (23) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

HOUSTON — Quarterback Matt Schaub is off to the best start of his career.

At 31, Schaub has become so comfortable with the offense that he knows the system as well as coach Gary Kubiak and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison.

Schaub and his offensive linemen are so close, they finish each other's sentences. He buys them watches, cooks dinner for them and takes them on trips.

Schaub and his receivers — Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and Owen Daniels — are so familiar with each other, they can communicate with the blink of an eye, a flick of the finger or a nod of the head.

“The guy is a baller,” said Walter, who signed with the Texans in 2006, one year before Schaub arrived. “He's the leader of this team. Everyone looks to him. He works so hard. He's confident, and we're confident in him. He's really playing great right now.”

If he continues his exceptional performance and the Texans continue to win, Schaub has an opportunity to be elevated a notch into that pantheon of elite NFL quarterbacks.

Schaub has been on an incredible roll over the last eight games. He has an 8-0 record. He's completed 66 percent and thrown for 1,835 yards and 12 touchdowns. During the winning streak, he's thrown two interceptions and been sacked six times. His rating is 107.4.

One of the most impressive things about Schaub's performance in recent years has been his consistency. Whether he's playing at friendly Reliant Stadium or in a hostile environment on the road, Schaub has been terrific.

For instance, during his 8-0 run, he's 4-0 on the road. The Texans have outscored opponents in those road games 34.2 to 12. He's thrown for 1,023 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception and two sacks.

“Matt's very focused all the time,” Kubiak said. “He's very capable in any game. If you want him to put it up 50 times and throw for those type of yards, he can do it on the road or at home.”

Schaub's road rating is better than Peyton Manning (91.9), Drew Brees (90.9), Matt Ryan (83.3) and Eli Manning (82.8). The difference, of course, is that the Mannings and Brees have combined for four Super Bowl rings, and Schaub has yet to start a playoff game.